Traficant says he will run as independent

Former Rep. James Traficant (D-Ohio) will run for Congress again as an independent.

Traficant,
who was convicted on bribery and racketeering charges in 2002, did not
say which district he would run in but confirmed to CNN’s Kyra Philips
he’s making a return to politics.

"I will be running for
Congress,” Traficant said on CNN Tuesday morning, “as an independent. I
have been a Democrat all my life, and, quite frankly, I am disgusted
with both parties.”

Traficant was released from federal prison in
September after a seven-year sentence. He was expelled from the House
in July 2002.

The former eight-term congressman used to represent
Ohio’s 17th district – a seat now held by Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan.
There have been rumblings Traficant is also considering running in the
6th district, which is held by Democratic Rep. Charlie Wilson.

In 2002, Traficant ran for his old seat from prison as an independent and lost with 15 percent of the vote.

This
isn’t the first time Traficant has distanced himself from the
Democratic Party. In 2001, he voted for Republican Dennis Hastert for
speaker.

In the CNN interview, Traficant reiterated his innocence.

“I
could have had a pardon my first year but I wouldn’t take it because I
wouldn’t admit to something I didn’t do,” he said. “When they can’t
beat you at the polls, you end up in prison sometimes.”

Traficant
has until May 3rd to file as an independent candidate. He missed the
deadline to file as a candidate for either party. He is currently a
talk radio host for WTAM, a Cleveland station.